Tank Cover Hinge Assembly

ABSTRACT

A tank cover hinge assembly for use with storage tanks is disclosed. The assembly may include a hinge member having a first surface that is configured to engage a collar of a tank, and a second surface that is configured to engage a lid. The hinge member may provide a coupling between the collar and the lid, and may be configured to prevent movement of the lid beyond a predetermined angle of opening with respect to an imaginary longitudinal axis of the tank.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is related to storage tank components and moreparticularly, to a tank cover hinge assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Storage tanks that are used to store volatile liquids and gases ofteninclude fragile valves for loading and unloading of tank contents. Forexample, LPG tanks are used to contain liquefied petroleum gas such aspropane. LPG tanks come in a variety of sizes and are used in bothcommercial and residential applications. The quantities of gas an LPGtank is required to hold in certain applications can vary. Often largerLPG tanks have a cylindrical collar and a lid that protects the valves,fittings, and other components located at the top of the tank.

LPG tanks may also be installed in widely different locations andenvironments. An LPG tank may be installed in a location with limitedopen space surrounding the top of the tank. In other installations,there may be plenty of space in the area surrounding the tank. In orderto access the valves, fittings, and other components that control thefiling and discharging of the contents of the tank, the lid must beopened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The teachings of the present invention include a tank cover hingeassembly for use with storage tanks. In accordance with a particularembodiment of the present invention, the assembly includes a hingemember having a first surface that is configured to engage a collar of atank and a second surface that is configured to engage a lid. The hingemember provides the coupling between the collar and the lid, and isconfigured to prevent movement of the lid beyond a predetermined angleof opening with respect to an imaginary longitudinal axis of the tank.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, thehinge member may include an elongate body having a first surface that isconfigured to engage the collar, and a protrusion that extends away fromthe first surface. The protrusion may include a generally flat secondsurface that is configured to engage the lid when the hinge member isinstalled in a first position, and a generally concave third surfacethat is configured to engage the lid when the hinge member is installedin a second position.

In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, thehinge member may be selectively installed in either the first positionor the second position. In the first position, the hinge member mayprevent the lid from being opened beyond a first predetermined angle(e.g., 180 degrees) and in the second position the hinge member mayprevent the lid from being opened beyond a second predetermined angle(e.g., 120 degrees).

Technical advantages of particular embodiments of the present inventioninclude a hinge member that prevents a lid from being opened beyond apredetermined angle of opening. Thus, a user can selectively control theangle of opening of the lid in its maximum open position.

Further technical advantages of particular embodiments of the presentinvention include a hinge member that can selectively be installed inone of two positions, the first and second positions being operable toprevent the opening of the lid beyond first and second predeterminedangles of opening, respectively.

Still further technical advantages of the present invention include ahinge member that can be easily changed from a first installationposition to a second installation position, the first and secondpositions being operable to prevent the opening of the lid beyond firstand second predetermined angles of opening, respectively.

Other technical advantages will be readily apparent to one of ordinaryskill in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims.Moreover, while specific advantages have been enumerated above, variousembodiments may include all, some, or none of the enumerated advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantagesthereof may be acquired by referring to the following description, takenin conjunction with accompanying drawings, in which like referencenumbers indicate like features, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the present inventionshowing the cover assembly with a lid in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing illustrating an alternative embodiment ofthe present invention showing the hinge member installed in a secondposition wherein the angle of opening of the lid is approximately equalto 120 degrees;

FIG. 3 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention inwhich the hinge member is installed in a third position, wherein thepredetermined angle of opening of the lid is approximately equal to 180degrees;

FIG. 4A illustrates a hinge member in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 4B illustrates an end view of the hinge member of FIG. 4A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is directed to a hinge member for use with acover assembly of a tank, for example a liquefied petroleum gas (“LPG”)tank. The cover assembly is positioned at the top of the LPG tank. Inthe illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the cover assemblyincludes a cylindrical collar and a lid that protects the valves andfittings located at the top of the tank. The valves and fittings aretypically surrounded by a cylindrical collar and are covered by a lidwhen the lid is in a closed position. In certain applications, it isadvantageous to be able to control the angle of opening of the lid. Ahinge member of the present invention stops a lid of an LPG tank frombeing opened beyond a predetermined angle of opening. For example, thepredetermined angle of opening may be approximately 120 or approximately180 degrees. The predetermined angle of opening may be selected byattaching the hinge member to the cylindrical collar and the lid in oneof two different configurations. The hinge member may be made ofplastic, polyethylene (e.g., UL QMFZ2.E205741, minimum temperature −40°F., pliability 280° F.), metal, metal alloys, composites, or any othersuitable material.

LPG tanks are sometimes installed where there is plenty of open spacesurrounding the cover assembly of a tank. In such installations thereare no obstructions that would prevent a tank lid from opening to anangle of opening of 180 degrees. The present invention allows the hingemember to be attached to the cylindrical collar and the lid in a firstconfiguration where the hinge member will stop and support the lid whenit reaches an angle of opening of approximately 180 degrees. By stoppingand maintaining the lid at an angle of opening of approximately 180degrees, the lid is capable of functioning as a work surface that islocated adjacent to the valves and fittings at the top of the LPG tank.For the purposes of this specification, the angle of opening refers to ameasurement of the angle formed between a surface 19 of the lid, and thesurface of the cylindrical collar.

In other LPG tank installations, there may not be sufficient open spacesurrounding the top of the tank to allow the tank lid to be opened to anangle of opening of approximately 180 degrees. In these installationsthere may be obstructions that a tank lid would encounter if it isopened to an angle of opening of 180 degrees. In these LPG tankinstallations, it is advantageous to be able to open the tank lid to apredetermined angle that will not allow the lid to contact any nearbyobstructions. The present invention allows the hinge member to beattached to the cylindrical collar and the lid in a second configurationwhere the hinge member will stop and support the lid when it reaches anangle of opening of approximately 120 degrees. For example, when the lidis opened to an approximately 120 degree angle of opening, the lid maybe in a position in which no part of the lid will exceed thecircumference of the tank.

Control of the opening angle of an LPG tank's lid may be accomplished byattaching the hinge member of the present invention to an existingcylindrical collar and lid. Moreover, a single hinge member can controlthe angle of opening of the lid for the 120 degree angle of opening andthe 180 degree angle of opening. When the hinge member is attached to alid and a cylindrical collar in a first configuration, the angle ofopening is stopped at approximately 180 degrees. When the hinge memberis attached to a cylindrical collar and a lid in a second configuration,the angle of opening of the lid is stopped at approximately 120 degrees.Predetermined angles of opening of 120 degrees and 180 degrees areillustrated herein by way of example only. It will be readily apparentto those of ordinary skill in this art that various other predeterminedangles of opening may be used in addition to, or in lieu of 120 degreesand 180 degrees, within the teaching of the present invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates an LPG tank assembly 20 in accordance with aparticular embodiment of the present invention. Tank assembly 20includes a base 22, tank 32, lifting lug 26 and a cover assembly 30. Acylindrical collar 34 is fixed to the top of tank 32 and includes twovisible handles 35. The cylindrical collar 34 surrounds valves andfittings located at the top of the tank 32. Coupled to the cylindricalcollar 34 is a hinge member 38 that provides the coupling of the lid 36to the cylindrical collar 34. The hinge member 38, the cylindricalcollar 34, and the lid 36 are all joined by a pin 39. The pin may beinserted through either one of two apertures of the hinge member 38.Removal of the pin 39 allows the hinge member 38, the cylindrical collar34, and the lid 36 to separate with respect to each other. The coverassembly 30 is shown with the lid 36 in its closed position.

FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2illustrates a cover assembly 40 which includes a cylindrical collar 44to surround valves and fittings positioned on the top of the tank. Thecover assembly 40 also includes a hinge member 48 that couples the lid46 to the cylindrical collar 44. The hinge member 48, the cylindricalcollar 44, and the lid 46 are all joined by a pin 49. The pin may beinserted through an aperture of the hinge member 48 adjacent an edge ofthe lid that forms surface 47. Removal of the pin 49 allows the hingemember 48, the cylindrical collar 44, and the lid 46 to separate withrespect to each other. In this embodiment, the hinge member 48 isattached to the cylindrical collar 44 and the lid 46 in a configurationthat prevents the lid 46 from opening beyond an approximately 120 degreeangle of opening. The lid 46 is able to open until a surface 47 of thelid 46 contacts a corresponding recessed portion 45 of the hinge member48. The concave surface of the recessed portion 45 of the hinge member48 is located such that the lid 46 contacts the hinge member 48 when thelid 46 is opened to a predetermined angle (approximately 120 degrees inthe illustrated embodiment). Depending on the size of the tank to whichthe cover assembly 40 is attached, the hinge member 48 may prevent thelid 46 from opening beyond an angle of opening that would cause an edgeof the lid 46 to extend outside of the circumference (see FIG. 1) of thetank 42. For example, with reference to FIG. 1, the edge 21 of lid 36would be prevented from extending outside of the dotted lines marked C,when the lid is in the fully open position (approximately 120 degreeswith respect to the surface of the cylindrical collar.

FIG. 3 illustrates yet another embodiment of the present invention. Thecover assembly 50 of FIG. 3 includes a hinge member 58 that couples thelid 56 and the cylindrical collar 54. The hinge member 58, thecylindrical collar 54, and the lid 56 are all joined by a pin 59. Thepin may be inserted through an aperture of the hinge member 58. Removalof the pin 59 allows the hinge member 58, the cylindrical collar 54, andthe lid 56 to separate with respect to each other. In this embodiment,the hinge member 58 is attached to the cylindrical collar 54 and the lid56 in a configuration that prevents the lid 56 from opening beyond anangle (approximately 180 degrees in the illustrated embodiment). The lid56 is able to open until a convex surface 55 of the lid 56 contacts acorresponding concave surface 57 of the hinge member 58. The concavesurface of the hinge member 58 is located such that the lid 56 contactsthe hinge member 58 when the lid is opened to approximately a 180 degreeangle of opening.

When the lid 56 is positioned at an approximately 180 degree angle ofopening, the lid 56 may function as a work surface adjacent the valvesand fittings located at the top of the tank. The work surface providesan area for workmen to use during service, maintenance and/or repair.For example, the workman could place tools, parts or components on thework surface. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the presentinvention, the hinge member and lid may be configured in a manner thatallows the work surface to support fifteen pounds or more withoutdeflecting.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate side and end views (respectively) of a hingemember suitable for use within the teachings of the present invention.Hinge member 60 includes two apertures 62 and 63, each of which aresuitable to receive a pin in order to couple the hinge member 60 with alid and collar. In a first configuration, the pin can be insertedthrough aperture 62 (see FIG. 2) which allows concave surface 64 toengage an edge of the lid to prevent the lid from being opened beyond apredetermined angle (e.g., 120 degrees). The hinge member and pin can bedisassembled and re-assembled in a second configuration in which thehinge member is rotated 180 degrees and the pin is inserted throughaperture 63 (see FIG. 3). This allows concave surface 66 to engage anedge of the lid to prevent the lid from being opened beyond apredetermined angle (e.g., 180 degrees).

Several dimensions and radius measurements are illustrated in FIGS. 4Aand 4B. These measurements are provided as an example only, and aresubject to substantial modification within the teachings of the presentinvention. In accordance with a particular embodiment of the presentinvention, these dimensions may be as follows (in inches): A=2.3328,B=0.1250, C=0.4815, D=0.250, E=0.375, F=0.375, G=2.430, H=1.680,I=0.375, J=0.6775, K=0.375, L=0.2188, M=0.4815, N=1.294, 0=0.1250,P=1.4484, Q=0.375, and R=0.750 (e.g., tolerance+/−0.005).

As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the hinge member generally includes anelongate body having a first surface 67 that is configured to engage acomponent of a storage tank (e.g., the collar of an LPG tank). The bodyalso includes a protrusion 68 that extends away from the first surface67. The protrusion forms a second surface 70 that is generally flat andis configured to engage the lid when the hinge member is installed inthe first position. The body includes a generally concave third surface64 that is configured to engage the lid when the hinge member isinstalled in the second position. As illustrated in FIG. 4A, the secondand third surfaces are on opposite sides of the protrusion. Thus, thehinge member may be rotated by one hundred and eighty degrees when beingreconfigured from the first position to the second position.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, a pin 49 is inserted through a firstaperture of the hinge member 48 in order to attach the hinge member 48to the lid 46 and the cylindrical collar 44. The cover assembly 40illustrated in FIG. 2, where the lid stops at an angle of opening ofapproximately 120 degrees, is easily switched to the embodiment of thecover assembly 58 illustrated in FIG. 3, where the lid stops at an angleof opening of approximately 180 degrees. This switch is accomplished bymerely flipping the hinge member so that a second aperture is on top ofthe first aperture. The hinge member is then attached to the lid and thecylindrical collar with a pin through the second aperture of the hingemember. Thus, the attachment of the hinge member, in one of twoconfigurations allows either the embodiment of the present inventionshown in FIG. 2 or the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

Although the present invention has been described in severalembodiments, a myriad of changes and modifications may be suggested toone skilled in the art, and it is intended that the present inventionencompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of thepresent appended claims.

1. An assembly, comprising: a hinge member having a first surface beingconfigured to engage a collar of a tank and a second surface beingconfigured to engage a lid; and wherein the hinge member provides acoupling between the collar and the lid, the hinge member beingconfigured to prevent movement of the lid beyond a predetermined angleof opening with respect to an imaginary longitudinal axis of the tank.2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the tank comprises a liquefiedpetroleum gas (LPG) tank.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein: the hingemember comprises an elongate body having a first surface beingconfigured to engage the collar, and a protrusion extending away fromthe first surface; and the protrusion having a generally flat secondsurface being configured to engage the lid when the hinge member isinstalled in a first position, and a generally concave third surfacebeing configured to engage the lid when the hinge member is installed ina second position.
 4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the secondsurface and third surface are on opposite sides of the protrusion. 5.The assembly of claim 4, wherein the hinge member is selectivelyinstallable in either the first position or the second position.
 6. Theassembly of claim 2, wherein the predetermined angle of opening isapproximately equal to one hundred and eighty degrees.
 7. The assemblyof claim 6, wherein engagement between the hinge member and the lidprovides sufficient strength to allow a horizontal surface of the lid tosupport in excess of fifteen pounds without allowing the lid to deflectbeyond approximately one hundred and eighty degrees.
 8. The assembly ofclaim 2, wherein the predetermined angle of opening is approximatelyequal to one hundred and twenty degrees.
 9. The assembly of claim 2,wherein: the lid is coupled to the hinge member adjacent to a first edgeof the lid; the lid includes a second edge that is opposite the firstedge; and the predetermined angle of opening is selected to prevent thesecond edge from extending outside of a circumference of the tank. 10.The cover assembly of claim 2, wherein: the hinge member includes afirst installation position and a second installation position; when thehinge member is installed in the first installation position, thepredetermined angle of opening is approximately equal to one hundred andeighty degrees; and when the hinge member is installed in the secondinstallation position, the predetermined angle of opening isapproximately equal to or less than one hundred and thirty degrees. 11.The assembly of claim 10, wherein: the lid is coupled to the hingemember adjacent to a first edge of the lid; the lid includes a secondedge that is opposite the first edge; and when the hinge member isinstalled in the second installation position, the predetermined angleof opening is selected to prevent the second edge from extending outsideof a circumference of the tank.
 12. The assembly of claim 10, furthercomprising: an elongate pin; wherein the hinge member defines a firstopening and a second opening that is spaced from the first opening; thepin being configured to extend through the first opening or the secondopening to provide the coupling between the collar and the lid; when thepin extends through the first opening, the hinge member is in the firstposition; and when the pin extends through the second opening, the hingemember is in the second position.
 13. The assembly of claim 2, furthercomprising: a pin being configured to extend through the first openingor the second opening, to provide the coupling between the collar andthe lid; and wherein removal of the pin allows the hinge member, thelid, and the collar to separate with respect to each other.
 14. Theassembly of claim 2, wherein the hinge member comprises plastic.
 15. Theassembly of claim 2, wherein the hinge member comprises metal.
 16. Anapparatus, comprising: a body having a first surface being configured toengage a component of a storage container, and a protrusion extendingaway from the first surface; and the protrusion having a generally flatsecond surface being configured to engage a container lid when theapparatus is installed in a first position, and a generally concavethird surface being configured to engage the container lid when thehinge member is installed in a second position.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 16, further comprising the component of the storage container andthe lid, and wherein the lid is positioned to protect valves extendingfrom an upper surface of the storage container.
 18. The apparatus ofclaim 17 wherein: the body may be coupled with the component of thestorage container and the lid in a first position; the body may bedecoupled from the component of the storage container and the lid andre-coupled to the lid and the component of the storage container, in asecond position; the first position defines a first predetermined angleof opening of approximately one hundred and twenty degrees; and thesecond position defines a second predetermined angle of opening ofapproximately one hundred and eighty degrees.
 19. The apparatus of claim18, further comprising a pin operable to accommodate coupling among thebody, the component of the storage container, and the lid.
 20. Theapparatus of claim 18, wherein: the body has first and second aperturesformed therein; the first aperture being configured to accommodate thepin in the first position; and the second hole aperture being configuredto accommodate the pin in the second position.
 21. An assembly,comprising: an LPG storage tank; a base being coupled to a lower portionof the LPG storage tank to support the LPG storage tank in an uprightposition; a hinge member having a first surface being configured toengage a collar of the LPG storage tank and a second surface beingconfigured to engage a lid; the hinge member providing a couplingbetween the collar and the lid, the hinge member being configured toprevent movement of the lid beyond a predetermined angle of opening withrespect to an imaginary longitudinal axis of the LPG storage tank; thehinge member including a first installation position and a secondinstallation position; when the hinge member is installed in the firstinstallation position, the predetermined angle of opening isapproximately equal to one hundred and eighty degrees; when the hingemember is installed in the second installation position, thepredetermined angle of opening is approximately equal to or less thanone hundred and thirty degrees; the lid being coupled to the hingemember adjacent to a first edge of the lid; the lid including a secondedge that is opposite the first edge; when the hinge member is installedin the second installation position, the predetermined angle of openingis selected to prevent the second edge from extending outside of acircumference of the tank; an elongate pin; wherein the hinge memberdefines a first opening and a second opening that is spaced from thefirst opening; the pin being configured to extend through the firstopening or the second opening to provide the coupling between the collarand the lid; when the pin extends through the first opening, the hingemember is in the first position; and when the pin extends through thesecond opening, the hinge member is in the second position.